Ex-commissioner’s day of honour

The Orangun of Ila in Osun State, Oba Adedeji Kayode Oyedotun, has honoured the former Ondo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Chief Tola Wewe and his wife, Lucky, with chieftaincy titles of Oluaye Agbasaga and Yeye Oluaye Agbasaga of Ila-Orangun. Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME was there.

It was double joy for culture and tourism aficionado Chief Adetola Wewe who was given a chieftancy title by Oba Adedeji Kayode Oyedotun, the Orangun of Ila in Osun State.

Chief Wewe was made the Oluaye Agbasaga of Ila Orangun and his wife, Lucky, the Yeye Oluaye Agbasaga of Ila Orangun.

The event held at the palace of Oba was Oyedotun during this year’s Ila Orangun Asa Day Festival.

Chief Wewe, who sponsored the Tewi Tilu competition segment of the festival, praised the monarch for restoring the festival, he describing it as a “conscious effort at reviving the people’s culture”, while urging the organisers of the annual festival to intensify efforts at sourcing funds from corporate bodies and individuals in order to improve in future editions of the festival.

He said: “I felt fulfilled and appreciated by the people of Ila-Orangun who value my contributions to culture. Above all, it is a kind of stimulus for me to do more,” Chief Wewe said.

“I am happy that a traditional ruler in spite of his religion is committed to promotion of Yoruba culture. For that, he has done well.”

Wewe, who is also the Obagbemigun of Ido-Ani, Ondo State and Bobagunwa of Odo Owoland, in Ondo Kingdom also called for effective publicity for the festival to attract more participants and sponsors as well.

Oba Oyedotun said the festival is an opportunity to appreciate the people for their unflinching support and contributions towards the development of the community, adding that the inclusion of cultural performances as competitions in the festival are designed to catch them young while promoting and preserving the people’s culture. He said: “We are catching them young in the area of cultural activities. Our culture must not die especially the language, cuisine and dress. We should appreciate our dress culture.”

Oba Oyedotun expressed hope over making the festival a global tourism event that will attract international agencies such as UNESCO for recognition and support. He identified religious fanatics as major challenge undermining the significance of culture among the people. “As a traditional ruler, I must promote the tradition of my people. My religion is within my mind and is personal. My culture should be promoted, protected and encouraged at all time. No religious Oba will succeed in a traditional community such as Ila Orangun. I am a traditionalist to the core and I allow all the religions free hand,” he said.

On the innovations to add colours to the festival, the monarch said: “The festival is as old as the town. But when I came to the throne I decided to revamp it and added colours to it.”

Chairman, Asa Cultural Planning Committee, Chief Ganiyu Afolabi said the festival provides an opportunity for the people to revive some aspects of their culture, especially language, which he said, is facing extinction. “Don’t let us throw our culture away because it is full of great values. If you throw your culture away, you will be patronising foreign cultures.”

In Ijala competition, which was sponsored by Prof Bayo Adebowale Oyeyemi, the first prize winner, Olayinka, went home with a fridge, while Adebisi Oloye, who came the second was given television and Omitunde Dauda (third prize winner) got a stabiliser.

In Olopon competition, which was sponsored by Chief Dele Odule, AyoAfolagboye Seun won the first prize with generator. The second prize, a gas cooker, went to Adeleke Mufutau and Ademola Jolayemi got the third prize, standing fan.

Tewi Tilu was won by Isola Risikat (Motor cycle), followed by Azzez Latifat second prize (grinding machine) and third place winner, Jimoh Abdulganiyu, got sewing machine.